Foreign Body

Or: how to succeed in business without really trying.

This modest comedy makes it look easy, showing an overeager, undersexed immigrant, newly arrived in London from his native Calcutta, impersonating a physician at a roadside accident and then carrying the charade to enormous success after setting up an exclusive Harley Street practice, despite having an only rudimentary knowledge of medicine. It proved to be the feature swan song for director Ronald Neame, a fixture in British Cinema since he first worked alongside Alred Hitchcock way back in 1929

The film, like its protagonist, is amiable and ingratiating: a long, lazy social comedy that never overextends its satirical reach.

With the population and desperate economic pressures as they are in India, it is nothing less than a 'miracle' that Ram Das (Victor Banerjee) gets a break to leave for England. There we see his admiration for things 'British' encounter with his own cultural trappings. This alone makes his adventures interesting. However, he is flexible and adapts. As is often the case in the USA as well as Britain, newcomers' expectations are not quite what the 'realities of life' are. Yet they are able to see opportunities ignored by we 'natives' who have grown so used to the possibilities around us and thus we ignore them. The 'outsiders' optimism' is more often than not rewarded beyond expectations. Really a story that's quite believable and very interesting. We've seen this happen time and time again where 'newcomers' come in and expand possibilities just because they don't know any better!

An excellent film and story with much to say. Very, very entertaining. All characters make the stars and story line fully believable. The director doesn't miss much and makes the story and actors work for you. You'll watch this more than once!

I first saw this film about 10 years ago, at a friend's house.

Then I spent five years trying to find a copy for myself. I am happy to have one, finally! This is a very funny and quirky film, about a poor East Indian man who wants to become a doctor so badly that he sets up a practice in England under false pretenses. He becomes a favorite doctor of all the rich well to do types in London, and of course many misadventures follow. The best scenes are the ones with Nora Plumb. (NP- Not Permitted?) A fun movie, find a copy and rent it tonight!

***

It's a charming and funny film whose humor also lampoons class distinctions and cross-cultural differences in a very believable manner. The casting is just perfect. If you can find it, rent it or, better yet, buy it: it's a keeper.

"Foreign Body" is a cute Brit flick which tells of a lowly, humble, and naive Calcutta flop-house clerk who manages to make his way to the UK where, with the help of a distant relative, he manages to stumble and bumble his way into a position as a physician to the rich. A fun little "East Meets West" flick with a pleasing performance by Banerjee, a bit part by Trevor Howard, and plenty of nonsense, silliness, and corn, "FB" will be an enjoyable tier-two watch for many.